New York Area Production Listing

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| Posted Jan. 5, 2007, midnight

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Back Stage lists major U.S. film and TV productions that are currently casting or accepting submissions. On this page you'll find productions occurring in the greater New York area. Check for new listings every Thursday! (Website members only.)

The following listings are NOT casting notices but instead reflect the best general information available about current casting assignments. Do your homework and use them wisely. Do not phone or visit casting directors' offices. Unless otherwise instructed, all contact with casting directors should be through the mail. Blind mass mailings are not recommended.

Frost/Nixon, Peter Morgan's play about David Frost's interviews with former President Richard Nixon, starring Frank Langella as Nixon and British actor Michael Sheen as Frost. Playing in the West End through Feb. 3 after a run at the Donmar Warehouse. Casting: Daniel Swee, Lincoln Center Theater, 150 W. 65th St., NYC 10023. Rehearsals begin March 5. Previews begin on or about April 8 at a theatre TBA. Opens April 22. Last EPAs: Nov. 17, 22, and 27, 2006.

Grease, a revival of the 1972 musical set in the 1950s. Casting: Jay Binder Casting, 321 W. 44th St., Ste. 606, NYC 10036. Rehearsals begin on or about April 1. Target opening: June. The leads will be cast via an NBC reality show, to be judged by the production's director-choreographer, Kathleen Marshall; Grease co-creator Jim Jacobs; and producer David Ian. Last EPA: Sept. 21, 2006. Last open call for the reality TV show: Oct. 27, 2006. Last Equity chorus calls for singers: Sept. 25 and 26, 2006. Last Equity chorus calls for dancers: Sept. 28 and 29, 2006.

*LoveMusik, a musical about Kurt Weill and Lotte Lenya, with a book by Alfred Uhry based on their letters to each other and using Weill's songs written with a variety of lyricists. Presented by Manhattan Theatre Club. Michael Cerveris and Donna Murphy star. Harold Prince directs. Casting: Mark Simon, 10 Rockefeller Plaza, Ste. 10-14, NYC 10020. Previews begin April 12 at the Biltmore Theatre, 261 W. 47th St., NYC. Opens May 3 for a limited engagement through July 8. Upcoming Equity chorus call for singers: Jan. 4.

The Pirate Queen, a musical based on the life of 16th-century Irish heroine Grace O'Malley, from the producers of Riverdance and the songwriters of Les Misérables. Casting: Tara Rubin Casting, 311 W. 43rd St., 5th fl., NYC 10036. Previews begin March 6 at the Hilton Theatre, 213 W. 42nd St., NYC. Opens April 5. Last EPA: March 27, 2006. Last Equity chorus call: June 23, 2005. Last open chorus call for dancers: March 28, 2006.

Xanadu, a musical based on the 1980 film. Douglas Carter Beane wrote the book. The score features songs from the film and hits from Electric Light Orchestra. Opens in May at the Helen Hayes Theatre, 240 W. 44th St., NYC. Casting and EPAs: TBA.

Company, a revival of Stephen Sondheim's 1970 musical about a bachelor and his married friends. Casting: Telsey + Company, 311 W. 43rd St., 10th fl., NYC 10036. Ethel Barrymore Theatre, 243 W. 47th St., NYC. Opened Nov. 29, 2006. Note: All actors must be able to play at least two musical instruments. Last EPAs: May 18, 19, and 23, 2006. Last nonrequired open call: July 21, 2006.

Note: The Apple Tree, Butley, The Coast of Utopia, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Translations, and The Vertical Hour are limited runs. Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me is closing Jan. 7. There is no further casting scheduled for these shows.

Broadway: Workshops, In Development, Etc.

9 to 5, a musical version of the 1980 film comedy about female office workers. Dolly Parton, who starred in the film, is writing the score. Patricia Resnick, co-author of the original screenplay, is penning the book. Joe Mantello is mentioned to direct.

Carmen, a musical based on the 1845 novella by Prosper Mérimée, which inspired the Bizet opera, with book by Sarah Miles, music by John Ewbank, and lyrics by Richard Ouzounian. Franco Dragone (Cirque du Soleil) directs. Target opening: 2006-07 season.

The Country Girl, a Manhattan Theatre Club revival of Clifford Odets' 1950 drama about an alcoholic actor attempting a comeback. Originally planned for a May 2007 opening, it has been pushed back to the 2007-08 season.

Cry-Baby, a musical version of John Waters' 1990 film. A workshop will be conducted in the spring. Casting: Telsey + Company, 311 W. 43rd St., 10th fl., NYC 10036. Last EPAs for the workshop: Nov. 17 and 20, 2006.

Designing Women, a play based on the hit TV series. Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, who created the show, is reportedly writing a stage version. Producers Anita Waxman and Elizabeth Williams are said to be interested in producing the play on Broadway.

Flying Tigers, a musical about the volunteer American air guard that helped defend China against Japan during World War II, with book by William Luce (The Belle of Amherst), music by Roger Anderson, and lyrics by Kenneth Jones. Walter Painter is slated to direct and choreograph. Target opening: spring 2007.

Kristina, a musical based on four novels by Vilhelm Moberg about Swedish immigrants coming to America in the 1850s. Score by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA. A New York workshop in March 2006 led to speculation about a tryout in Minneapolis, with a spring 2007 Broadway run possibly to follow.

Leap of Faith, a musical version of the 1992 film about a con artist posing as an evangelist, featuring music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater, and book by Janus Cercone, author of the original screenplay. Taylor Hackford (Ray, An Officer and a Gentleman) directs. Hugh Jackman played the lead in a workshop presentation. Target opening: 2007-08 season.

Legends!, a revival of the play by James Kirkwood, starring Joan Collins and Linda Evans. The tour opened Sept. 12, 2006, in Toronto and may come to Broadway. Last EPA for the tour: March 10, 2006.

Lone Star Love, a musical based on Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor, set in 1870s Texas. Originally presented Off-Broadway during the 2003-04 season. Target Broadway opening: sometime in 2007.

The Man in the White Suit, a musical version of the 1951 film comedy about an inventor who creates an indestructible fabric, by Mark Hollmann (music and lyrics), Greg Kotis (book and lyrics), and David Petrarca (book and direction). Hollmann and Kotis collaborated on Urinetown. Hunter Foster, Jenny Powers, Christian Hoff, and Gregg Edelman participated in a reading on Oct. 20, 2006.

My Man Godfrey, a musical version of the 1936 screwball film comedy, with book by Claudia Shear (Dirty Blonde) and score by Mark Hollmann (Urinetown).

Natural Woman, a new book musical featuring the songs of Carole King and Gerry Goffin. Director Michael Blakemore recently staged a private reading starring Tom Wopat and Randy Graff.

The Nutty Professor, a musical version of the 1963 Jerry Lewis film comedy. Tentative plans for a January production at the Old Globe in San Diego to be directed by Lewis and starring Michael Andrew have been announced, but no firm dates have been set. Target Broadway opening: October 2008.

One Heart at a Time, a musical about George Washington Carver with a book by Mark St. Germain, music by Louis St. Louis, and lyrics by St. Germain and Thomas W. Jones. Target opening: 2006-07 season.

Pal Joey, a revival of the 1940 musical by Rodgers and Hart. Target opening: spring 2007. Producer Marc Platt (Wicked) has reportedly lined up Joe Mantello to direct, Matthew Bourne to choreograph, and Richard Greenberg to update the book. Hugh Jackman is said to be interested in starring.

Porgy and Bess, a new production of the opera by George and Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward, adapted as a musical and directed by Trevor Nunn. Opened Nov. 9, 2006, at London's Savoy Theatre to mostly positive notices. There are plans for a Broadway transfer.

Radio Golf, August Wilson's final play in his decade-by-decade cycle of works on the African-American experience. Target opening: spring 2007.

Shrek, a musical version of the 2001 animated film, with book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori. Target opening: 2007-08 season. A reading will be held Feb. 23. Casting: Tara Rubin Casting, 311 W. 43rd St., 5th fl., NYC 10036. Last EPA for the reading: Oct. 27, 2006.

Sister Act, a musical version of the 1992 film comedy, with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater, and book by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner. Played at the Pasadena Playhouse through Dec. 23, 2006.

South Pacific, a revival of the 1949 Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, from Lincoln Center Theater. Bartlett Sher directs. Target opening: 2007-08 season at the Vivian Beaumont Theater.

Spider-Man, a musical based on the comic book superhero. Currently in development.

The Starry Messenger, a new play by Kenneth Lonergan (Lobby Hero) about an astronomy teacher searching for the meaning of the universe, to star Matthew Broderick. It was to have played the Old Globe in San Diego Jan. 13–Feb. 18, with a possible Broadway opening in the spring, but scheduling conflicts have postponed it. No new dates.

Hidden, a dramatic feature about a young man who learns he has AIDS. Directed by Eric Espeut. Shooting Nov. 18 through year's end. Principals: No further casting. Background: Damele Collier at revdamele@hotmail.com. Especially seeking African-American and Latino actors, ages 17–19, for a classroom sequence.

I Am Legend, a sci-fi action drama from Warner Bros., based on the Richard Matheson novel. Directed by Francis Lawrence; starring Will Smith. Shooting through about the end of February. Principals: No further casting. Background: Amerifilm Casting, 195 Chrystie St., Ste. 502G, NYC 10002.

A Meteorite for the Mantlepiece, a dramedy about divorced parents whose lives are touched by astronauts. Directed by John W. McKelvey. Shooting continues in Albany, N.Y., and central New Jersey through early winter. With Tiffany Anne Carrin, Kelly Terrell, and Carolyn Slesinski. Principals: No further casting. Background: The Raconteur, c/o John W. McKelvey, 431 Main St., Metuchen, NJ 08840 or WVWalenrod@aol.com. No pay.

*The Killing Machines, a dark, mob-themed comedy about two sisters, ages 9 and 11, who become killers for hire. Directed by Z-Man. Shooting weekends only in two phases: Jan 6–Feb. 10 and March 1 to late April. Principals and background: vampire@gmail.com. Nonunion film. Deferred pay for principals, some pay for background.

Unidentified, a coming-of-age story about 20-somethings. Kevan Tucker directs. Shooting mostly in Brooklyn. Currently on hiatus; shooting will resume in early spring. Principals and background: floodgate.features@gmail.com. For more information, go to www.theunidentified.net. No pay.

The Creative Conspiracy, a series of absurdist films, directed by Astro Saladino. Production is ongoing. Principals and background: vinehandler@hotmail.com. All types needed, especially a big white woman over 40 who can play a lovable hillbilly, and a sexy Eastern European actress to play a wacky waitress. No pay.